The start of 2022 is here, and I would like to wish a happy new year to all our readers of the British Journal of Midwifery. I hope you all had a chance to enjoy a break over the festive period, though I know it will have been a busy time for many of you, and are looking forward to the fresh start that the new year brings. I know I am looking forward to getting to work on this year's issues and with a few months as editor of the British Journal of Midwifery behind me, I hope that I can maintain this journal's excellent reputation throughout 2022 and beyond.
In the spirit of new beginnings, I would like to welcome to post Tom McEwan as our new consultant editor. Corina Casey-Hardman has stepped down after many years providing her tremendous help and expertise to the journal and I am extremely grateful for all her support from when I took over this journal in September last year. I am sure I am not alone in believing that Tom will be more than up to the task of filling the gap that Corina leaves behind.
It is my fervent hope that the new year will bring many positive moves for midwifery across the UK. The Royal College of Midwives (2021a) has called for the Chief Nursing Officers to provide more support for newly qualified midwives and continues its ‘deliver a decent deal’ campaign (Royal College of Midwives, 2021b) for a better pay rise to recognise the amazing work carried out by midwives and maternity support workers in the UK throughout the pandemic.
I am, as ever, amazed by the wonderful and often life-changing work done by health professionals working in maternity services. This January issue of the British Journal of Midwifery includes articles that showcase this excellent work, including the huge adjustments made to ensure that students both across the UK and internationally continued to receive high-quality interprofessional education, as the pandemic necessitated a move to virtual teaching and learning, and the establishment of a fast-track COVID-19 vaccination service for pregnant people in the east of England. The prioritisation of vaccines for pregnant people is a move supported by the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2021).
This journal relies on our wonderful community of reviewers, researchers, academics and authors to maintain the constant stream of high-quality articles we send out every month. I could not be more grateful to all those who set aside time to contribute to the journal, whether by submitting your research, completing reviews or subscribing to the journal each year. I look forward to the interesting range of articles that I know 2022 will bring.